I get excited about cubes and geometry and I love the sometimes incomprehensible twisting of metals that turn a town square from the mundane into an open-air gallery. One of the reasons why I love Tenerife is you can find art everywhere.
I’ve written about many locations in my Tenerife blogs and that includes Santa Cruz but I decided this time I would look closer at the sculptures in the capital.
As you enter the city you cannot help but be overwhelmed by the imposing Auditorio. Its sculptural, gleaming white sail-shaped roof makes it one of the most-photographed buildings on the island. Whilst its avant-garde architecture is more than obvious, if you walk towards the sea you will find that this modern concert hall features artists, not only on the inside, but also on the outside. The breakwater that protects it from the onslaught of the Atlantic has images of numerous artists and celebrities. It might be graffiti to some but to me it’s art.
Opposite the Auditorio is the unique Recinto Ferial designed by Santiago Calatrava. Its modern exterior sometimes referred to as ‘the cockroach’ sits comfortably beside the Castle of San Juan dating back to the 1600s.
In 1973, the International Exhibition of Sculpture in the Street was held in Santa Cruz. Many of the sculptures were donated by the artists who took part and are now located throughout the city.
In García Sanabria Park, it is possible to enjoy 13 sculptures such as “El Monumento al Gato” by Tenerife artist, Oscar Domínguez, “Estela Espacial” by Amadeo Gabino, “Solidaridad” by Mark Macken, and “Homenaje a Gaudí” by Paolozzi. The large lady who sits amongst the fountains is La Fecundidad she is the first female nude sculpture exhibited in a public place, having been censured as immoral for many years.
Stroll through the avenues and parks and you will find “La Femme Bouteille” a bronze sculpture by Joan Miró, “Sin Título” by Andrés Alfaro, “Ejecutores y Ejecutados” a structure by Xavier Corberó and my favourite by Henry Moore “The Goslar Warrior” on Rambla del General Franco.
There are several life-sized bronze sculptures outside the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África depicting the everyday lives of a fisherman and a street seller, close by a nice sculpture of workmen resting on a bench. And the coolest of all the stunning bronze mask outside the Teatro Guimerá.
Few cities in the world can boast sculptures as important as Santa Cruz and they are not given the recognition they deserve. It’s important we appreciate how lucky we are to have this luxury to see in our everyday life.
